Handheld electronic device, system and method for inverting display orientation for left-handed or right-handed operation responsive to a wireless message

ABSTRACT

A handheld electronic device, such as a fob, includes a wireless communication port and a display alternatively displaying a first or right-handed display orientation and a second or left-handed display orientation. The first display orientation is inverted with respect to the second display orientation. A processor component cooperates with the wireless communication port and the display. The processor component is adapted to receive a wireless radio frequency message including one of a first state and a different second state from the wireless communication port. The processor component then responsively configures the display in the first display orientation responsive to the first state or alternatively configures the display in the second display orientation responsive to the second state.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention pertains generally to handheld electronic devices and,more particularly, to handheld electronic devices employing aninvertible display. The invention also relates to systems and methodsemploying handheld electronic devices with an invertible display.

2. Background Information

Wireless communication networks are an emerging new technology, whichallows users to access information and services electronically,regardless of their geographic position.

In contrast to wired networks, mesh-type, low rate—wireless personalarea network (LR-WPAN) wireless communication networks are intended tobe relatively low power, to be self-configuring, and to not require anycommunication infrastructure (e.g., wires) other than power sources.

Home (e.g., residential; house; apartment) monitoring, security, andautomation (control) systems are well known.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,647 discloses an invertible hand-held electronicgame apparatus including pushbutton switches that are depressedsimultaneously by a user to invert the display of images. A displayinversion circuit allows the apparatus housing to be inverted forright-handed play or left-handed play in a horizontal orientation, andfor right hand above and left hand below, or for right hand below andleft hand above positioning when the images are vertically oriented.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,438 discloses a bar code reader integrated with adata input apparatus. Two display mode changing switches permitcharacters displayed on a display device to be inverted in vertical andhorizontal directions. Thus, either a right-handed person or aleft-handed person can always see the read data and key-input in theerected image. When a right-handed person operates the portable datainput apparatus, he grasps the handle portion with his right hand, witha keyboard and display device facing him. The display mode changingswitch provided on the lower side of the casing is operated by his rightthumb. When a left-handed person operates the portable data inputapparatus, she grasps the handle portion with her left hand, with thekeyboard and display device facing her. In this case, since the handleportion is grasped with her left hand, the positions of the keyboard andtwo display mode changing switches are inevitably inverted, and thelower-side display mode changing switch is turned on by her left thumb.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,359,239 discloses a cutting board including a visualdisplay. The orientation of the read-out may be inverted by a selectorswitch, in order that the board may be turned around to accommodateeither a left-handed or a right-handed user.

There is room for improvement in handheld electronic devices. There isalso room for improvement in systems and methods employing handheldelectronic devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These needs and others are met by the present invention, which providesa handheld electronic device that receives a wireless message includingone of a first state and a different second state from a wirelesscommunication port. The handheld electronic device responsivelyconfigures its display in a first display orientation responsive to thefirst state and alternatively configures the display in an invertedsecond display orientation responsive to the second state.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a handheld electronicdevice comprises: a wireless communication port; a display alternativelydisplaying a first display orientation and a second display orientation,the first display orientation being inverted with respect to the seconddisplay orientation; and a processor component cooperating with thewireless communication port and the display, the processor componentbeing adapted to receive a wireless message including one of a firststate and a different second state from the wireless communication portand to responsively configure the display in the first displayorientation responsive to the first state and to alternatively configurethe display in the second display orientation responsive to the secondstate.

The wireless communication port may be adapted to wirelessly communicatewith a wireless communication port of a server.

The processor component may comprise a proximity sensor adapted todetect mating of the handheld electronic device with another device. Theprocessor component may be further adapted to detect mating of thehandheld electronic device with the other device in one of a firstmating orientation and a different second mating orientation and toresponsively reconfigure the display in the first display orientationresponsive to the first mating orientation and to alternativelyreconfigure the display in the second display orientation responsive tothe second mating orientation.

As another aspect of the invention, a home system comprises: a servercomprising a first wireless communication port and a second port; ahandheld electronic device comprising a display and a third wirelesscommunication port adapted to communicate with the first wirelesscommunication port of the server, the display alternatively displaying afirst display orientation and a second display orientation, the firstdisplay orientation being inverted with respect to the second displayorientation; and at least one node different than the handheldelectronic device, wherein the handheld electronic device is adapted tomate with the second port of the server in one of a first matingorientation and a different second mating orientation, wherein theserver is adapted to send a wireless message from the first wirelesscommunication port of the server to the third wireless communicationport of the handheld electronic device, the wireless message includingone of a first state corresponding to the first mating orientation and adifferent second state corresponding to the different second matingorientation, and wherein the handheld electronic device is furtheradapted to configure the display in the first display orientationresponsive to the first state and to alternatively configure the displayin the second display orientation responsive to the second state.

As another aspect of the invention, a method of configuring a displayorientation comprises: employing a server comprising a first wirelesscommunication port and a second port; employing a handheld electronicdevice comprising a display and a third wireless communication portadapted to communicate with the first wireless communication port of theserver; alternatively displaying a first display orientation and asecond display orientation of the display, the first display orientationbeing inverted with respect to the second display orientation; matingthe handheld electronic device with the second port of the server in oneof a first mating orientation and a different second mating orientation;sending a wireless message including a first state responsive to thefirst mating orientation and a different second state responsive to thesecond mating orientation from the first wireless communication port ofthe server to the third wireless communication port of the handheldelectronic device; and configuring the display in the first displayorientation responsive to the first state and alternatively configuringthe display in the second display orientation responsive to the secondstate.

The method may dispose the display of the handheld electronic devicebetween a first side and an opposite second side of the handheldelectronic device; dispose a user input device proximate the display,with the user input device being between the first side and the oppositesecond side of the handheld electronic device; and employ the firstdisplay orientation for a right-handed user and alternatively employ thesecond display orientation for a left-handed user.

The method may further comprise employing a channel in the serverincluding a first end having a first proximity sensor and a first targetand a second end having a second proximity sensor and a second target;employing a first side including a first proximity sensor and a firsttarget and an opposite second side including a second proximity sensorand a second target of the handheld electronic device; mating the firstside of the handheld electronic device with the channel of the server inthe first mating orientation with the first proximity sensor of thehandheld electronic device being proximate the first target of theserver and with the first target of the handheld electronic device beingproximate the first proximity sensor of the server, and responsivelysending the wireless message including the first state; andalternatively mating the second side of the handheld electronic devicewith the channel of the server in the second mating orientation with thesecond proximity sensor of the handheld electronic device beingproximate the second target of the server and with the second target ofthe handheld electronic device being proximate the second proximitysensor of the server, and responsively sending the wireless messageincluding the second state.

The method may include first and second proximity sensors with thehandheld electronic device; mate the handheld electronic device with anode different than the handheld electronic device; determine the firstand second mating orientations from the first and second proximitysensors of the handheld electronic device; and reconfigure the firstdisplay orientation responsive to the determined first matingorientation from the first proximity sensor of the handheld electronicdevice or the second display orientation responsive to the determinedsecond mating orientation from the second proximity sensor of thehandheld electronic device.

As another aspect of the invention, a sub-system for monitoring,configuring or controlling a home system comprises: a node comprising amating portion and a target; and a handheld electronic devicecomprising: a portable housing including a first side and an oppositesecond side, the first side being adapted to mate with the matingportion of the node in a first mating orientation, the second side beingadapted to mate with the mating portion of the node in a differentsecond mating orientation, a first proximity sensor disposed toward thefirst side of the portable housing, a second proximity sensor disposedtoward the second side of the portable housing, a display disposedbetween the first and second sides of the portable housing, and aprocessor cooperating with the first and second proximity sensors andbeing adapted to configure the display in a first display orientationresponsive to the first proximity sensor detecting the target of thenode and to alternatively configure the display in a second displayorientation responsive to the second proximity sensor detecting thetarget of the node, the first display orientation being inverted withrespect to the second display orientation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the followingdescription of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a home wellness system in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the base station of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the fob of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the control device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of one of the input sensors of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the fob of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a vertical elevation view of the fob mating with the basestation of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a vertical elevation view of the fob mating with the sensor ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is vertical elevation view of the fob of FIG. 6 except that it isconfigured for a left-handed user.

FIG. 10 is vertical elevation view of the fob of FIG. 9 just prior tomating with the sensor of FIG. 8 with the fob display still beingconfigured for the left-handed user.

FIG. 11 is a vertical elevation view of the fob of FIG. 9 mating withthe sensor of FIG. 8, except that the sensor and the fob are inverted.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are examples of display sequences used by the fob forconfiguring the base station and sensors, respectively, of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are message flow diagrams showing the interactionbetween the fob, one of the sensors and the base station of FIG. 1 forconfiguring the fob and the sensor, respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As employed herein, the term “wireless” shall expressly include, but notbe limited by, radio frequency (RF), infrared, wireless area networks,IEEE 802.11 (e.g., 802.11a; 802.11b; 802.11g), IEEE 802.15 (e.g.,802.15.1; 802.15.3, 802.15.4), other wireless communication standards,DECT, PWT, pager, PCS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth™, and cellular.

As employed herein, the term “communication network” shall expresslyinclude, but not be limited by, any local area network (LAN), wide areanetwork (WAN), intranet, extranet, global communication network, theInternet, and/or wireless communication network.

As employed herein, the term “portable wireless communicating device”shall expressly include, but not be limited by, any portablecommunicating device having a wireless communication port (e.g., aportable wireless device; a portable personal computer (PC); a PersonalDigital Assistant (PDA); a data phone).

As employed herein, the term “fob” shall expressly include, but not belimited by, a portable wireless communicating device; a wireless networkdevice; a wireless object that is directly or indirectly carried by aperson; a wireless object that is worn by a person; a wireless objectthat is placed on or coupled to a household object (e.g., arefrigerator; a table); a wireless object that is coupled to or carriedby a personal object (e.g., a purse; a wallet; a credit card case); aportable wireless object; and/or a handheld wireless object.

As employed herein, the term “handheld electronic device” shallexpressly include, but not be limited by, a fob and/or other handheldelectronic objects.

As employed herein, the term “network coordinator” (NC) shall expresslyinclude, but not be limited by, any communicating device, which operatesas the coordinator for devices wanting to join a communication networkand/or as a central controller in a wireless communication network.

As employed herein, the term “network device” (ND) shall expresslyinclude, but not be limited by, any communicating device (e.g., aportable wireless communicating device; a fob; a camera/sensor device; awireless camera; a control device; and/or a fixed wireless communicatingdevice, such as, for example, switch sensors, motion sensors ortemperature sensors as employed in a wirelessly enabled sensor network),which participates in a wireless communication network, and which is nota network coordinator.

As employed herein, the term “node” includes NDs and NCs.

As employed herein, the term “headless” means without any user inputdevice and without any display device.

As employed herein, the term “server” shall expressly include, but notbe limited by, a “headless” base station; and/or a network coordinator.

As employed herein, the term “residence” shall expressly include, butnot be limited by, a home, apartment, dwelling, office and/or placewhere a person or persons reside(s) and/or work(s).

As employed herein, the term “home system” shall expressly include, butnot be limited by, a system for a home or other type of residence.

As employed herein, a home wellness system shall expressly include, butnot be limited by, a home system for monitoring and/or configuringand/or controlling aspects of a home or other type of residence.

The present invention is described in association with a wireless fob,although the invention is applicable to a wide range of wirelesshandheld electronic devices.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless home wellness system 2. Thesystem 2 includes a “headless” RF base station 4, a portable RF fob or“house key” 6, a plurality of RF sensors, such as 8,10, and one or moreRF output devices, such as 12 (only one device 12 is shown in FIG. 1).The RF base station 4 may include a suitable link 14 (e.g., telephone;DSL; Ethernet) to the Internet 16 and, thus, to a web server 18. Thesensors 8,10 may include, for example, the analog sensor 8 and theon/off digital detector 10. The device 12 may include, for example, awater valve and/or a wide range of output devices. The sensors 8,10,device 12, base station 4 and fob 6 all employ relatively shortdistance, relatively very low power, RF communications. These nodes4,6,8,10,12 form a wireless network 20 in which the node ID for each ofsuch nodes is unique and preferably is stored in a suitable non-volatilememory, such as EEPROM, on each such node.

The base station 4 (e.g., a wireless web server; a network coordinator)may collect data from the sensors 8,10 and “page,” or otherwise send anRF alert message to, the fob 6 in the event that a critical statuschanges at one or more of such sensors.

The fob 6 may be employed as both a portable in-home monitor for thevarious sensors 8,10 and device 12, also, as a portable configurationtool for the base station 4 and such sensors and such device, and,further, as a remote control for such device.

The example base station 4 is headless and includes no user interface.Alternatively, the invention is applicable to servers, such as basestations, having a local or remote user interface. The sensors 8,10preferably include no user interface, although some sensors may have astatus indicator (e.g., an LED (not shown)). The user interfacefunctions are provided by the fob 6 as will be discussed in greaterdetail, below. As shown with the device 12, the network 20 preferablyemploys an adhoc, multihop capability, in which the sensors 8,10, thedevice 12 and the fob 6 do not have to be within range of the basestation 4, in order to communicate.

FIG. 2 shows the base station 4 of FIG. 1. The base station 4 includes asuitable first processor 22 (e.g., PIC® model 18F2320, marketed byMicrochip Technology Inc. of Chandler, Ariz.), having RAM memory 24 anda suitable second radio or RF processor 26 having RAM 28 and PROM 30memory. The first and second processors 22,26 communicate through asuitable serial interface (e.g., SCI; SPI) 32. The second processor 26,in turn, employs an RF transceiver (RX/TX) 34 having an external antenna36. As shown with the processor 22, the various base station componentsreceive power from a suitable AC/DC power supply 38. The first processor22 receives inputs from a timer 25 and one or more proximity sensors41,42 (e.g., which detect mating or engagement with the fob 6 of FIG.1). The EEPROM memory 40 is employed to store the unique ID of the basestation 4 as well as other nonvolatile information such as, for example,the unique IDs of other nodes, which are part of the wireless network20, and other configuration related information. The second processor 26may be, for example, a CC1010 RF Transceiver marketed by Chipcon AS ofOslo, Norway. The processor 26 incorporates a suitable microcontrollercore 44, the relatively very low-power RF transceiver 34, and hardwareDES encryption/decryption (not shown).

The base station 4 preferably also includes one or more interfaces48,50,52 to a personal computer (PC) (not shown), a telephone line (notshown) and a network, such as an Ethernet local area network (LAN) (notshown). In this example, the PIC processor 22 communicates with a localPC through a suitable RS-232 interface 48 and connector J1, with atelephone line through a suitable modem 50 and connector J2, and with anEthernet LAN through an Ethernet port 52 and connector J3. Hence, themodem 50 may facilitate communications with a remote cellular telephone,other portable electronic device (e.g., a PDA (not shown)) or a remoteservice provider (not shown), and the Ethernet port 52 may providecommunications with the Internet 16 of FIG. 1 and, thus, with a remotePC or other client device (not shown).

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the fob 6 of FIG. 1. The fob 6 includes asuitable first processor 54 (e.g., PIC) having RAM memory 56 and asuitable second radio or RF processor 58 having RAM 60 and PROM 62memory. The first and second processors 54,58 communicate throughsuitable serial interface (e.g., SCI; SPI) 64. The EEPROM memory 72 isemployed to store the unique ID of the fob 6 as well as othernonvolatile information. For example, there may be a nonvolatile storagefor icons, character/font sets and sensor labels (e.g., the base station4 sends a message indicating that an on/off sensor or device is ready toconfigure, and the fob 6 looks up the on/off sensor or device and findsa predefined list of names to choose from). This expedites a relativelyrapid interaction. The fob 6 may also employ a short term memory cache(not shown) that is used when the fob 6 is out of range of the basestation 4. This stores the list of known sensors and devices and theirlast two states. This permits the user, even if away, to review, forexample, what door was open or what valve was closed, when the fob 6 waslast in range.

The second processor 58, in turn, employs an RF transceiver (RX/TX) 66having an antenna 68 (e.g., which is internal to the fob 6). As shownwith the processor 54, the various components of the fob 6 receive powerfrom a battery 70. The first processor 54 receives inputs from a timer55, one or two suitable sensor/base/device proximity sensors 73,74(e.g., which detect mating or engagement with one of the sensors 8,10 orwith the device 12 or with the base station 4 of FIG. 1), and a userinput device, such as, for example, the exemplary encoder 76 or rotaryselector/switch, such as a thumbwheel encoder. Typically, such encoder76 also includes a button 77, through which the user presses, clicksand/or double-clicks to initiate actions through the fob user interface.The first processor 54 also sends outputs to a suitable display 78(e.g., a 120×32 LCD), one or more visual alerts, such as a red backlight80 (e.g., an alert is present) and a green backlight 82 (e.g., no alertis present) for the display 78, and an alert device 84 (e.g., a suitableaudible, visual or vibrating device providing, for example, a sound,tone, buzzer, vibration or flashing light). Based upon suitable signalsfrom the processor 54, the example display 78 may readily displayinformation in a normal (FIG. 6) or in a 180° inverted format (FIG. 9).

The proximity sensors 73,74 may include, for example, a magnet and areed switch (e.g., a magnet and a reed switch proximity sensor in whicha corresponding magnet on the opposing device “triggers” it when theyare brought within suitable proximity). The reed switch may be, forexample, part number RI02-SMD-G2 marketed by Coto Technology ofProvidence, R.I. The reed switch may be actuated by an electromagnet, apermanent magnet or a combination of both. The magnet, such as 246,254,may be, for example, a neodymium rare earth magnet, part number 43511 Nddisk, marketed by Indigo Instruments of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

Alternatively, any suitable device or sensor may be employed to detectthat the fob 6 has engaged or is suitably proximate to another systemnode, such as the base station 4 or sensors 8,10 or device 12 of FIG. 1.Other, non-limiting examples of suitable proximity sensors include anoptical (e.g., infrared) transmitter/receiver pair, or an RFIDtag/reader pair.

The encoder 76 may be, for example, an AEC11BR series encoder marketedby CUI Inc. of Beaverton, Oreg. Although the encoder 76 is shown, anysuitable user input device (e.g., a combined rotary switch andpushbutton; touch pad; joystick button) may be employed. Although thealert device 84 is shown, any suitable annunciator (e.g., an audiblegenerator to generate one or more audible tones to alert the user of oneor more corresponding status changes; a vibrational generator to alertthe user by sense of feel; a visual indicator, such as, for example, anLED indicator to alert the user of a corresponding status change) may beemployed. The display 78 preferably provides both streaming alerts tothe user as well as optional information messages.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are block diagrams of the device 12 and the analog sensor8, respectively, of FIG. 1. Each of the device 12 and the sensor 8includes an RF transceiver (RF RX/TX) 86 having an external antenna 88,a battery 90 for powering the various sensor components, a suitableprocessor, such as a microcontroller (μC) 92 or 93 having RAM 94, ROM96, a timer 98 (e.g., in order to provide, for example, a periodicwake-up of the corresponding μC 92 or 93, in order to periodically senddevice or sensor status information back to the base station 4 ofFIG. 1) and other memory (e.g., EEPROM 100 including the unique ID 102of the node which is stored therein during manufacturing), and a deviceor sensor proximity sensor 104,104′ for mating with one of the fobproximity sensors 73,74 of FIG. 3.

Alternatively, the device 12 may be powered from a suitable AC/DC powersource (not shown). The device 12 of FIG. 4 includes a suitable controloutput 116 (e.g., adapted to open and/or close a water valve). Othernon-limiting examples of devices (i.e., output nodes), such as 12,include water valves (shut off; turn on), gas valves (shut off; turnon), electrical switches (power shut off; power turn on), generator(shut off; turn on), garage door (open; close), deadbolt lock (lock;unlock), thermostat (set setpoint), appliance electrical switches(appliance power shut off; appliance power turn on), light switches(shut off lights; turn on lights), communication “firewall” control(enable or secure; disable or insecure), relay device (normally opencontact; normally close contact), X10 gateway (enable; disable), cameratrigger (trigger snapshot), and water sprinkler (turn on; turn off).

Examples of the sensors 8,10 of FIG. 1 include water leaks; poweroutages; abnormal temperatures (e.g., home; refrigerator; furnace; airconditioner; heat pump); motion (e.g., child; pet; elderly person; wildanimal); alarm (e.g., open or ajar; door; window; cabinet); appliance on(e.g., iron; television; coffee pot); sound (e.g., smoke alarm; intruderalert); status of detached garage; tremor (e.g., earthquake); odor(e.g., natural gas); pressure (e.g., package delivered to front doormat); manual request (e.g., a button is pressed on a “nameable” sensor,such as, for example, “bring takeout” or “out of milk”). The sensors8,10 may include, for example, conventional security devices (e.g.,motion; door status; window status; smoke; fire; heat; gas (e.g., carbonmonoxide, natural gas); alarm) and home condition monitors (e.g.,moisture; temperature; power; energy (e.g., natural gas; water;electricity; power)).

When a sensor (i.e., input node) (e.g., water sensor), such as 8,10,joins the wireless network 20 of FIG. 1, the user is prompted by the fob6 to: (1) select a name for the sensor (e.g., washer; water heater;basement); (2) indicate what event or state change will trigger an alertby the base station 4 (e.g., water present; water absent); and (3) theform of alert (e.g., display message on fob 6; audible tone on fob 6;vibration on fob 6; remote telephone call (e.g., through link 14 of FIG.1); remote e-mail message (e.g., through link 14 of FIG. 1)).

When a device (output node) (e.g., water valve), such as 12, joins thewireless network 20, the user is prompted by the fob 6 to: (1) select aname for the device (e.g., main water shut off valve; water heatervalve); (2) select which of the sensors (or other nodes, such as, forexample, fob; pager; cellular telephone; PDA; wireless handheld device),such as 8,10, can control it; and (3) configure any logic (e.g., OR;AND; XOR) to be used for multiple sensor or fob inputs. For example, thefirst time that any device is added to the system 2 of FIG. 1, the useris automatically taken through fob configuration (e.g., training) menus(not shown), in order to confirm the device name, define the criticalcontrol state of the device, select the controller(s), and select thealert method.

The analog sensor 8 of FIG. 5 includes a physical analog input interface110 (e.g., a water detector) with the μC 93 employing an analog input112 and a corresponding analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 114.

The device 12 of FIG. 4 and the sensor 8 of FIG. 5 do not include anindicator. It will be appreciated, however, that one or both of suchdevice and sensor may employ an indicator (e.g., to show that a battery90 is OK; to show that the analog value from the ADC 114 is within anacceptable range of values; to show an on/off input or output state).

Referring to FIG. 6, the fob 6 includes an input apparatus 204 having,for example, a rotational axis 206 (shown in hidden line drawing) and awheel, such as a thumbwheel 208, adapted to rotate about the rotationalaxis 206 in a first rotational direction 210 and an opposite secondrotational direction 212. The fob 6 further includes a portable housing213 and a display 214. The display 214 may, for example, alternativelydisplay a first list 216 and one or more second lists, such as 318 ofFIG. 12B. The example first list 216 includes a plurality of firstobjects, such as icons 220, disposed in a first longitudinal direction221 (e.g., horizontal as shown in FIG. 6). The example second list 318includes a plurality of second objects, such as menu items, disposed ina different second longitudinal direction 223 (e.g., vertical as shownin FIG. 6). The fob 6 also includes a suitable processor component 224(as best shown in FIG. 3) cooperating with the input apparatus 204 andthe display 214 to scroll the first objects or the second objectsresponsive to rotation of the thumbwheel 208 in the first rotationaldirection 210 or the opposite second rotational direction 212. As shownin FIG. 6, the rotational axis 206 is preferably disposed at an angle ofabout 45 degrees with respect to the first or horizontal longitudinaldirection 221 and to the second or vertical longitudinal direction 223.

The first rotational direction 210 corresponds to leftward scrolling andupward scrolling, while the second rotational direction 212 correspondsto rightward scrolling and downward scrolling. The horizontal list 216of FIG. 6 is adapted to scroll leftward responsive to rotation of thethumbwheel 208 in the first rotational direction 210 and to scrollrightward responsive to rotation of the thumbwheel 208 in the secondrotational direction 212. The vertical list 318 of FIG. 12B is adaptedto scroll upward responsive to rotation of the thumbwheel 208 in thefirst rotational direction 210 and to scroll downward responsive torotation of the thumbwheel 208 in the second rotational direction 212.Although an example input apparatus 204 and display 214 are disclosed, awide range of suitable user interfaces may be employed.

In this example, the natural orientation for the fob 6, in order to takeon the form of a “key,” is horizontal with the thumbwheel 208 to oneside (e.g., to the right side as shown in FIG. 6). However, in thisexample, this means that the fob 6 would, otherwise, have a “native”right-handedness that is more suitable for use by a right-handed user.Since it is desirable for the very same fob 6 to be employed by eitherright-handed or left-handed users, there is a need for setting theproper left or right “handedness” and for displaying information on thefob display 214 in the proper left-handed display orientation (FIG. 9)or right-handed display orientation (FIG. 6) for optimal usage. As aresult, the proximity sensors 73,74 (FIG. 3) of the fob 6 and/or theproximity sensors 41,42 of the base station 4 (FIG. 2) are employed toestablish the proper display orientation as is discussed below.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the home system 2 of FIG. 1 allows for a“tear off” display in the form of the fob 6 to be employed forconfiguration of the nodes 4,6,8,10,12 of such system. This is madepossible by the headless base station 4 and the removable (e.g., withrespect to the base station 4) fob 6. This removable fob 6 mates (e.g.,“docks”) in channel(s) (e.g., keyway(s)) 230 (shown in hidden linedrawing in FIG. 7) and 232 (shown in hidden line drawing in FIG. 8) ofthe nodes 4,8,10,12 and signals its readiness to display informationthrough, for example, an embedded proximity sensor (R) 234 and an RFmessage 236. Initially, the fob 6 is mated with the base station 4 asshown in FIG. 7. Then, to configure additional nodes, such as 8,10,12,to the system 2, the fob 6 is removed from the base station 4 and ismated with (e.g., “docked” in the channel 232 of) the selected node,such as 8 of FIG. 8, at which time the proximity sensors 234 and 238 inthe fob 6 and the base station 4, respectively, or the proximity sensors234 and 240 in the fob 6 and the sensor 8, respectively, are active. Inresponse, the fob 6 and the mated node 8 preferably contemporaneouslysend RF messages 236 and 242 (FIG. 8), respectively, to the base station4. Then, as is discussed below in connection with FIGS. 12B and 13B,when the base station 4 receives those messages 236,242, it coordinatesthe display of sensor or device specific configuration information,which is displayed by the fob 6.

With reference to FIG. 7, the fob 6 knows that it was mated with theright side (by a right-handed person) or the left side (by a left-handedperson) of the base station 4, since the base station 4 has twoproximity sensors 238,248 and two magnets 244,250 on each side thereof.In FIG. 7, the fob 6 is being configured, as shown, for the firstdisplay orientation 258 (FIGS. 3 and 6) for a right-handed user and,alternatively (as shown in phantom line drawing), for the second displayorientation 260 (FIG. 3) for a left-handed user.

The fob 6 also has two proximity sensors 234,252 and two magnets246,254. In accordance with a preferred practice, the base PIC processor22 (FIG. 2) determines in which direction the fob 6 is mated (e.g.,“docked”) thereto based upon one of the base station proximity sensors238,248 detecting a corresponding one of the respective magnets 246,254of the fob 6. Then, the base station 4 informs the fob 6 that thecorresponding right-handed/left-handed display orientation is the fob's“native” setting in the RF message 394. This message is employed toconfigure or predetermine the up/down orientation of the fob display214.

The base station 4 “sets” the fob's “handedness” and resets it anytimethe user re-docks the fob 6 with the base station 4 from a given left orright (with respect to FIG. 7) direction. Thus, the fob 6 may be removedfrom and re-mated with the base station 4 in the same or differentmating orientation. This results in another RF message 394 (FIG. 13A)including the corresponding state 399 (e.g., a first state or a secondstate) of subsequent message 400 responsive to the right-handed orleft-handed mating orientation of the most recent mating, which may beadvantageously employed to re-configure the fob display 214 in thedesired right-handed or left-handed display orientation.

For the fob 6 and the base station 4, each of which has two sets ofmagnets and two sets of proximity sensors as is shown in FIG. 7, basedupon the particular activated proximity sensor in the base station 4,the base station 4, from that information, knows whether the fob 6 isbeing trained for a left-handed user or a right-handed user. Then, thebase station 4 sends the fob 6 the RF message 394 (FIG. 13A) to informit of the selected right-handed or left-handed display orientation. Forexample, the state 399 of subsequent message 400 includes one of a firststate for a right-handed display orientation and a second state for aleft-handed display orientation. Thus, the mating with the base station4 is the automatic “default setter” for the system's fobs, such as 6.

Although not required, the fob 6 may advantageously compare the state399 with the activated one of its two proximity sensors 234,252 to makesure that they both agree. The base station 4 also stores this“handedness” profile information for the fob 6 in the internal table 393(FIG. 13A) of the base station 4, in order that, for example, if the fobruns out of battery power and is reset, then it may learn again from thebase station 4 what handedness to be. Hence, if the fob 6 is re-poweredand reset, then the base station 4 may send another wireless message tothe fob 6 to reconfigure the display 214 in the predetermined displayorientation. Therefore, the default or “native” user orientation of thefob 6 is always set by the base station 4 whenever the fob 6 is matedthereto.

For example, the proximity sensors 238,248 and 234,252 may be embeddedmagnetic switches. This permits a “sealed” and relatively more robustembedded application.

As will be discussed below in connection with FIGS. 12A-12B and 13A-13B,the fob 6 senses that one of its proximity sensors 234,252 is activeduring mating with the base station 4 or with another node, such as thesensor 8.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 8, the fob 6 knows the “up” or “native”orientation 253 of an input sensor, such as 8,10, or output device, suchas 12, since the fob 6 detects which one of the two proximity sensors234,252 is active. The fob 6 positions the two proximity sensors 234,252and the two magnets 246,254 toward opposite corners of the fob 6 (FIG.6) such that they don't activate themselves. For example, the fobproximity sensor 234 senses the magnet 256 embedded in the sensor 8 andthe sensor proximity sensor 240 senses the magnet 246 embedded in thefob 6.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the fob 6 is mated with the sensor 8 to formsub-system 262, one of the fob proximity sensors 234,252 that is closestto the sensor magnet 256 is active. Here, in this example, the proximitysensor 234 being active selects the right-handed display orientation,which corresponds to the “up” orientation 253 of the sensor 8. Whilemated with the sensor 8, the fob display 214 is always oriented to matchthe sensor's “native” orientation 253. If the sensor 8 is physicallyupside down, as shown in FIG. 11, then the fob 6 displays information inits display 214 “upside down” in the same right-handed displayorientation even though, in this example, the user is left-handed (or isright-handed). In FIG. 11, the fob 6 was previously configured for aleft-handed user and is mating with the sensor 8 of FIG. 8, except thatthe sensor 8 is inverted. Hence, if the sensor 8 is upside down, thenthe display orientation of the fob display 214 is also upside down whenthe fob 6 is mated with that inverted sensor.

The sensors 8,10 and devices, such as 12, have the channel 232 intowhich the fob 6 can be mated in either direction, one magnet 256 and oneproximity sensor 240. This is because the sensors 8,10 and the device12, unlike the base station 4, do not need to sense an alternate channelentry. Those nodes 8,10,12 only need to send a “training” RF message 420(FIG. 13B) to the base station 4. The sensor 8, for example, isrelatively narrow and works by having its one channel 232 situatedcentrally. Alternatively, if the fob 6 is reversed (not shown) to matein the channel 232 in the opposite direction (e.g., with the fobproximity sensor 252 being activated by the sensor magnet 256, and withthe sensor proximity sensor 240 being activated by the fob magnet 254),then this selects the left-handed display orientation, which, again,corresponds to the “up” orientation 253 of the sensor 8. In the exampleshown in FIG. 8, the proximity sensor 234 being active selects theright-handed display orientation, which corresponds to the “up”orientation 253 of the sensor 8.

Therefore, if the fob 6 is mated with one of the nodes 8,10,12, then thefob 6 assumes the node's “up” orientation 253 as is shown in FIGS. 8 and11. The sensor 8 does not tell the fob 6 anything regarding the displayorientation through a wireless message. Instead, the sensor 8 employsthe magnet 256 that activates one of the fob's two proximity sensors234,252. Again, this depends upon the way the fob 6 is mated with (e.g.,inserted into) the sensor's training channel 232.

In FIG. 11, the position of the fob 6 and the sensor 8 are both invertedwith respect to the non-inverted position of FIG. 8. This reinforces theintegration of the fob 6 as a native part of any given node when it ismated thereto. This also benefits by supporting the use of the fob 6 asa “tear off” display that defaults to the user's preferences. The fob 6determines the first or second mating orientation from the one of thefirst or second proximity sensors 234,252 being active. The fob 6reconfigures the first (e.g., right-handed) display orientationresponsive to the determined first mating orientation (FIG. 8) from thefirst proximity sensor 234 being active, or the second (e.g.,left-handed) display orientation responsive to the determined secondmating orientation (not shown with the sensor 8, but shown with the basestation 4 of FIG. 7 in phantom line drawing) from the second proximitysensor 252 being active. Hence, the fob display 214 automaticallychanges to the sensor's “up” orientation 253, no matter how the sensor 8is oriented.

When the fob 6 is removed from any of the nodes 8,10,12, such as thesensor 8, at any time during interaction or mating therewith, the fob 6automatically restores (e.g., reverts back to) the user's native displayorientation (i.e., left-handed (as shown in FIG. 9) or right-handed (asshown in FIG. 6)). This is because when the user removes the fob 6 fromthe sensor 8, it is most likely that the user wishes to read the fobdisplay 214 or to adjust it using the user's native handedness.

FIG. 10 shows the fob 6 of FIG. 9 just prior to mating with the sensor 8of FIG. 8, with the fob display 214 still being configured for theleft-handed user. Here, because the fob 6, which has not yet mated withthe sensor 8, is physically inverted (by the left-handed person), thefob display 214 is also physically inverted. In contrast, in FIG. 11,the fob 6 is non-inverted (for the left-handed person), but the fob 6has mated with the physically inverted sensor 8, such that the fobdisplay 214 is also inverted to correspond to the sensor's “up”orientation 253, which is down in FIG. 11.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show sequences of displays employed by the fob 6 forconfiguring the base station 4 and the nodes 8,10,12, respectively, ofFIG. 1. FIG. 12A shows a set of fob display screens that the useremploys to configure the fob 6 and base station 4. First, screen 180thanks the user for choosing the system 2. This is followed by screen182, which prompts the user, at 183, to press the button 77 of FIG. 3 tobegin (e.g., normal to the rotational axis 206 of the thumbwheel 208 ofFIG. 6). The next two screens 184,186 respectively instruct the user topower (e.g., plug in an AC power cord 185 (FIG. 7)) the base station 4and prompt the user, at 187, to press the button 77 to continue. Thenext two screens 188,190 graphically inform the user to insert the fob 6into the base station 4 (e.g., into the channel 230 on the top of thebase station 4). Those screens 188,190 are preferably repeated until thefob PIC processor 54 detects that one of the sensor/base/deviceproximity sensors 73,74 is active or closed. This occurs when the userslides the fob 6 into the channel 230 as far as it will go either fromthe left to the right side of FIG. 7 or from the right to the left sideof FIG. 7. When that proximity sensor is active or closed in response tothe fob 6 being suitably mated with the base station 4, the screen 190transitions, at 191, to the screen 192, which informs the user, at 193,that the fob 6 is gathering (or exchanging) information with the basestation 4 (e.g., the ID of the fob 6 is sent to the base station 4 viathe RF transceivers over the wireless network 20, the ID of the basestation 4 is sent to the fob 6, and other pertinent data is providedfrom the base station 4 to the fob 6) by exchanging a series of messages(not shown). Next, the user is informed by screen 194 that the basestation 4 has been identified, by screen 196 that the system 2 is beingactivated, and by screen 198 that the base station 4 is ready (e.g.,initialization is complete). Then, screen 200 prompts the user, at 201,to press the button 77 to continue. In response to that action, screen202 (e.g., “Key is ready.”; “Key is nowjoined to system.”) informs theuser that the fob 6 is ready and, thus, that the fob RAM memory 60 (FIG.3) includes, for example, the particular node ID of the base station 4and that both the fob 6 and base station 4 are part of the system 2. Inaccordance with a preferred practice of the invention, the fob displaysets the user's native mode of display based upon whether the fob 6 isinserted from the right side (e.g., right-handed) or the left side(e.g., left-handed) of the base station 4 of FIG. 7. Finally, screen 203prompts the user, at 305, to press the button 77 to continue. When thataction occurs, execution resumes with screen 306 of FIG. 12B.

At screen 306 of FIG. 12B, the user is instructed to mate the fob 6 witha sensor (e.g., a non-configured sensor 207) or output device (e.g.,device 12 of FIG. 1 prior to it being added) in order to add it to thesystem 2 of FIG. 1. For example, the user slides the fob 6 into thechannel 232 on the top of the sensor 8 as far as it will go in order toautomatically train the sensor. The user may remove the fob 6 from thesensor 8 at any time and the user will still be able to wirelessly setthe training options for the sensor. If the user is left-handed, the fobdisplay 214 will appear in the orientation of FIGS. 9 and 10, albeitwith displayed information corresponding to the particular phase oftraining.

In summary, when one of the nodes 8,10,12 is keyed in this manner, thefob 6 begins gathering corresponding information and, then, reports thesuccess to the user. As is discussed below, the fob 6 provides theability to customize the sensor 207, with the status bar 132 cyclingthrough two messages “<dial to highlight . . . >” and “press toselect>”. Following the screen 306, the screen 154 reports that the fob6 is gathering information. This is possible, because there are two, andonly two, nodes in the system 2 (e.g., the fob 6 and the particularsensor 207 (or the base station 4 or device 12), which are mated andwhich have their corresponding proximity sensors 73 or 74 and 104 or104′ closed or active at any one time). As is discussed below inconnection with FIG. 13B, when the sensor proximity sensor 104′ isclosed or activated by mating with the fob 6, the sensor 207 sends arequest to the base station 4 to join the network 20(attempt_network_discovery). One of the fob proximity sensors 73,74 isalso closed or activated (e.g., simultaneously) by mating with thesensor 207, and the fob 6 also sends a “program sensor” message to thebase station 4. By receiving this “confirmation” message from the fob 6,the base station 4 knows to accept this sensor 207 to the network 20,and sends a nwk_connect_confirm message. Next, screen 308 reports thetype of sensor (e.g., an Open-Close Sensor 309 in this example). Then,screen 310 reports that the sensor 207 is identified and screen 312removes the “<gathering info . . . >” message 313 from the status bar132.

Next, the screens 314 and 316 prompt the user to “<dial to highlight . .. >” and “<press to select>” one of the three displayed actions:“Customize sensor?”, “Done/Exit Training?” And “Remove Sensor?”. If theuser highlights and presses (e.g., employing the button 77 of FIG. 3)“Customize sensor?” at screen 318, then screen 320 is displayed, whichconfirms that the sensor 207 is an “Open-Close Sensor” 321 and lists inthe lower rotary (configuration) menu 322 the possible names of thatsensor. In this example, there are two possible names shown, which arebased upon the possible locations for such a sensor: Living R(oo)mWindow and Front Door, wherein the parenthetical portion of those namesis truncated for display in this example. Also, in this example, theremay be one, three or more names and the display operation of the rotary(configuration) menu 322. Next, after the user highlights one of thenames, such as Front Door 325, the screen 324 prompts the user to pressthe button 77 of FIG. 3 to select that name. Next, after the userselects the name, the screen 326 displays the name, Front Door 327, inthe system message region 132, and prompts the user to select one of thesensor awareness levels, for example, “Silent awareness?”, “Alert me ifopened?” and “Alert me if closed?”. Although, zero, one, two, three ormore awareness levels may be employed for a particular sensor, in thisexample, “Silent Awareness?” means that the audible buzzer 84 (FIG. 3)of the fob 6 is inactive regardless of the state of that sensor.Otherwise, the user can select that an audible alert as determined bythe base station 4 be sounded if that configured sensor is opened or ifsuch sensor is closed. Next, at screen 328, the user, in this example,selects “Silent awareness?”, which causes the screen 316 to beredisplayed. At that point, if the user highlights and selects the“Done/Exit Training?” option 156, then the newly entered information forthe sensor 207 is transferred to the base station 4. Alternatively, ifthe user highlights and selects the “Remove sensor?” option 330, andregardless whether the sensor 207 was previously added, that informationfor such sensor is transferred to the base station 4, in order to removethe sensor 207 from the system 2. Finally, if the user highlights andselects the “Customize sensor?” option 331, screen 318 is redisplayed,no information is sent to the base station 4, and the user is promptedto re-enter the information to customize the sensor 207.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are message flow diagrams 350,352 showing theinteraction between the fob 6, one sensor, such as 10, and the basestation 4 of FIG. 1 for configuring that fob and sensor. In FIG. 13A,after the four processors 54,58,26,22 complete respective power_on( )initialization 354,356,358,360, the fob 6 may join the network 20 of thebase station 4. The sensor 10 also initiates power_on( ) initialization362.

Initially, in response to the screens 188,190 of FIG. 12A, the userundertakes a FOB_swipe( ) 364 of the fob 6 with the base station 4. Inview of the screens 188,190, the fob PIC processor 54 knows, at thispoint, that the mated node is the base station 4. The fob PIC processor54 detects the activation or closure of one of the sensor/basestation/device proximity sensors 73,74 of FIG. 3 and responsively sendsa JOIN_request(NetworkDevice) message 366 to the fob RF processor 58,which responsively executes an initialize_comm_stack( ) routine 368.This routine 368 initializes the communication stack of that processor,which provides suitable software services for communication from one RFnode (e.g., the fob 6) to another RF node (e.g., the base station 4).Next, the fob RF processor 58 sends an attempt_nwk_discovery( ) RFmessage 370 to the base RF processor 26, which may or may not be readyfor that message. Only after the base station 4 has successfullyinitialized, will these discovery attempts of the fob 6 be successful.At that point, the fob 6 can transmit its profile 363 to the basestation 4.

When the base PIC processor 22 is notified, as a result of theFOB_swipe( ) 364 of the fob 6 with the base station 4, of the closure oractivation of one of the proximity sensors 41,42 of FIG. 2, itresponsively sends a JOIN_request(NetworkCoordinator) 371 message to thebase RF processor 26, which responsively executes aninitialize_comm_stack( ) routine 372. As a result, the basecommunication stack is initialized and the base RF processor 26 is readyto accept requests from other nodes to join the network 20 of FIG. 1.When the routine 372 concludes, the base RF processor 26 sends aJOIN_confirm(SUCCESS) message 374 back to the base PIC processor 22.Therefore, the base RF processor 26 is now ready to accept requests fromother nodes (e.g., the sensor 10; the fob 6) to join the network 20.

Although the first attempt_nwk_discovery( ) RF message 370 to the baseRF processor 26 was ignored, since the routine 372 had not yetconcluded, a second or subsequent attempt_nwk_discovery( ) RF message,such as 376, is sent to and is received by the base RF processor 26.That processor 26 receives the message 376 and responds with anwk_connect_confirm( ) RF message 378 back to the fob RF processor 58.When the message 378 is received, the fob RF processor 58 sends aJOIN_confirm(SUCCESS) message 380 back to the base PIC processor 54.

The profile 363, for a node such as the fob 6, includes suitable nodeidentification information, which, for example, identifies the node as afob and provides the node ID and any attributes thereof. The profile 363is transmitted to the base RF processor 26 after the fob RF processor 58has joined the network 20 of FIG. 1. In this regard, the fob RFprocessor 58 may periodically attempt that action as shown by theexample sequence of two attempt_nwk_discovery( ) RF messages 370,376 tothe base RF processor 26. It will be appreciated that one or more ofsuch attempts are employed. Also, such attempts at discovery may beemployed after power is on and independent of the engagement of the fob6 with the base station 4.

At 381, the fob 6 can transmit its profile 363 to the base station 4.The fob PIC processor 54 sends a PICDATA_request(profile) message 382 tothe fob RF processor 58, which responsively sends aDATA(profile_information) RF message 384. That message 384 is receivedby the base RF processor 26. In response, that processor 26 sends anAcknowledgement(SUCCESS) RF message 386 back to the fob RF processor 58.Upon receipt of that message 386 by the fob RF processor 58, it sends aPICDATA_confirm(SENT) message 388 back to the fob PIC processor 54.

After sending the Acknowledgement(SUCCESS) RF message 386, the base RFprocessor 26 sends a PICDATA_indication(profile) message 390 to the basePIC processor 22. Upon receipt of the message 390, the base PICprocessor 22 sends a PICDATA_request(profile_confirm) message 392 to thebase RF processor 26 and, also, stores the profile 363 for the fob 6 inan internal table 393 of nodes, which have been added to the network 20.Upon receipt of the message 392, the base RF processor 26 sends aDATA(profile_confirm) RF message 394 to the fob RF processor 58. Uponreceipt of that message 394 by the fob RF processor 58, it sends anAcknowledgement(SUCCESS) RF message 396 back to the base RF processor 26and sends a PICDATA_indication(profile_confirm) message 400 back to thefob PIC processor 54. In response to receipt of that message 400, thefob PIC processor 54 displays the fob acceptance screen 202 of FIG. 12Ato the user. Upon receipt of the RF message 396, the base RF processor26 sends a PICDATA_confirm(SENT) message 398 to the base PIC processor22. Finally, at 401, the fob PIC processor 54 sends a SLEEP_request( )message 402 to the fob RF processor 58 and both fob processors 54,58enter a low_power_mode( ) 404,406, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 13B, in order to join one of the sensors, such as 10,to the network 20 of FIG. 1, the user suitably mates the fob 6 with thatsensor. In response, the fob PIC processor 54 detects one of thesensor/base station/device proximity sensors 73,74 of FIG. 3 beingclosed or active. The screen 154 of FIG. 12B may say “please wait . . .” (not shown) because, at this point, one of the fob proximity sensors73,74 (FIG. 3) has been activated. At this point, the fob 6 does notknow the nature of the mated node (e.g., whether it is a device, sensoror base station), since, for example, a stray magnet (not shown) mighthave triggered one of its proximity sensors 73,74. As will be discussed,the fob 6 then sends out the RF message 418 and the sensor 8 sends outthe RF message 420. The base station 4 receives both RF messages 418,420and, then, the fob 6 finds out that the mated node is a sensor anddisplays “sensor/device found” (not shown) and “gathering info” 313(FIG. 12B). Otherwise, the fob 6 just displays “please wait . . . ” fora suitable time (e.g., a few seconds) and then goes back to its homescreen (not shown) because it did not receive information from the basestation 4 about the new sensor 8. Otherwise, in view of the screen 308of FIG. 12B, the fob 6 knows, at this point, that the mated node is asensor.

Following the FOB_sensor_active( ) routine 412, the fob PIC processor 54send a WAKEUP_request( ) message 414 to the fob RF processor 58. Similarto the fob RF processor's RF messages 370,376, the sensor 10periodically sends RF messages, such as the attempt_nwk_discovery( ) RFmessage 420, to the base RF processor 26. The RF message 420 wirelesslycommunicates a signature (e.g., address; serial number) of the sensor 10to the base station 4. Otherwise, the sensor 10 goes to a low powermode, such as 427, if the network discovery attempts are unsuccessful.The sensor 10 then retries (not shown) such network discovery attemptsafter a suitable time in low power mode.

At 415, after sending the wakeup message 414, the fob PIC processor 54sends a PICDATA_request(SensorJoining) message 416 to the fob RFprocessor 58, which, in turn, sends a DATA(SensorJoining) RF message 418to the base RF processor 26. The action of the FOB_mate( ) 410 alsocauses the sensor 10 to detect the closure or activation of the sensorproximity sensor 104′ of FIG. 5. Preferably, that action triggers thefirst RF message 420.

In view of the two RF messages 418,420 to the base RF processor 26, itresponsively sends a nwk_connect_confirm( ) RF message 422 back to thesensor 10. Upon receipt of that RF message 422, the sensor 10 sends aDATA(profile_information) RF message 424 back to the base RF processor26. That RF message 424 includes the sensor profile 425, which includessuitable node identification information, such as type of node (e.g.,sensor), the type of sensor (e.g., on/off; one input; battery powered),the node ID and any suitable attributes of the sensor 10. Upon receiptof that RF message 424, the base RF processor 26 sends the sensor 10 anAcknowledgment(SUCCESS) RF message 426. Next, the base RF processor 26sends the base PIC processor 22 a PICDATA_indication(profile) message428, including the sensor profile 425. The base PIC processor 22receives that message 428 and stores the profile 425 in the table 430.The base PIC processor 22 also sends the base RF processor 26 aPICDATA_request(alert) message 432, which indicates that a new sensor 10has been added to network 20. As will be seen, this message 432 isultimately communicated to the fob 6, which will, then, need toresponsively request data associated with the newly added sensor 10.

After receiving the Acknowledgment(SUCCESS) RF message 426, the sensor10 enters the low_power_mode( ) 427. In turn, after a suitablesensor_heartbeat_interval 429, the sensor 10 wakes up and responsivelysends sensor data in an RF message (not shown) to the base station 4.

Upon receipt of the PICDATA_request(alert) message 432, the base RFprocessor 26 sends a Data(alert) RF message 434 to the fob RF processor58, which receives that RF message 434 and responsively sends anAcknowledgement(SUCCESS) RF message 436 back to the base RF processor26. Upon receipt of the RF message 436, the base RF processor 26 sends aPICDATA_confirm(SENT) message 438 to the base PIC processor 22. Then,after the fob RF processor 58 sends the RF message 436, it sends aPICDATA_indication(alert) message 440 to the fob PIC processor 54. Next,the message sequence 460 is executed to provide sensor information forthe newly added sensor 10 to the fob 6.

As part of the sensor profile 425, the sensor 10 provides, for example,a node ID, a network address and/or a unique sensor serial number. Aspart of the messages 416,418, the fob 6 provides a graphical identifier(e.g., a label; sensor name; sensor attribute) associated with theconfiguration of the sensor (e.g., screen 324 of FIG. 12B provides thename “Front Door” 325 for the sensor being configured).

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described indetail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and alternatives to those details could be developed inlight of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, theparticular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only andnot limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given thefull breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.

1. A system for a structure, said system for a structure comprising: aserver comprising a first wireless communication port and a second port;a handheld electronic device comprising a display and a third wirelesscommunication port adapted to communicate with the first wirelesscommunication port of said server, said display alternatively displayinga first display orientation and a second display orientation, said firstdisplay orientation being inverted with respect to said second displayorientation; and at least one node different than said handheldelectronic device, wherein said handheld electronic device is adapted tomate with the second port of said server in one of a first matingorientation and a different second mating orientation, wherein saidserver is adapted to send a wireless message from the first wirelesscommunication port of said server to the third wireless communicationport of said handheld electronic device, said wireless message includingone of a first state corresponding to said first mating orientation anda different second state corresponding to said different second matingorientation, and wherein said handheld electronic device is furtheradapted to configure said display in the first display orientationresponsive to said first state and to alternatively configure saiddisplay in the second display orientation responsive to said secondstate.
 2. The system for a structure of claim 1 wherein said at leastone node is one of an input sensor node and an output device node, saidat least one node comprising a fourth wireless communication portadapted to send information to or receive information from the firstwireless communication port of said server and a fifth port; and whereinsaid handheld electronic device further comprises a sixth port adaptedto mate with the fifth port of said at least one node in one of a thirdmating orientation and a different fourth mating orientation, saidhandheld electronic device being adapted to reconfigure said display inthe first display orientation responsive to said third matingorientation and to alternatively reconfigure said display in the seconddisplay orientation responsive to said fourth mating orientation.
 3. Thesystem for a structure of claim 1 wherein the second port of said servercomprises a channel including a first end having a first proximitysensor and a first target and a second end having a second proximitysensor and a second target; wherein said handheld electronic devicefurther comprises a first side including a first proximity sensor and afirst target and an opposite second side including a second proximitysensor and a second target; and wherein the first side of said handheldelectronic device mates with the channel of said server in the firstmating orientation with the first proximity sensor of said handheldelectronic device being proximate the first target of said server andwith the first target of said handheld electronic device being proximatethe first proximity sensor of said server, and the second side of saidhandheld electronic device alternatively mates with the channel of saidserver in the second mating orientation with the second proximity sensorof said handheld electronic device being proximate the second target ofsaid server and with the second target of said handheld electronicdevice being proximate the second proximity sensor of said server. 4.The system for a structure of claim 3 wherein said handheld electronicdevice further comprises a processor adapted to determine the first andsecond mating orientations from the first and second proximity sensorsof said handheld electronic device; wherein said server furthercomprises a processor adapted to determine the first and second matingorientations from the first and second proximity sensors of said serverand to send said wireless message including one of said first state andsaid different second state; and wherein the processor of said handheldelectronic device is further adapted to compare the first state or thesecond state of said wireless message with the first mating orientationor the second mating orientation from the first and second proximitysensors of said handheld electronic device before configuring said firstdisplay orientation responsive to said first state and said first matingorientation from the first proximity sensor of said handheld electronicdevice and before alternatively configuring said second displayorientation responsive to said second state and said second matingorientation from the second proximity sensor of said handheld electronicdevice.
 5. The system for a structure of claim 1 wherein said handheldelectronic device further comprises a first side including a firstproximity sensor and a first target and an opposite second sideincluding a second proximity sensor and a second target; and wherein thedisplay of said handheld electronic device is disposed between the firstside and the opposite second side of said handheld electronic device. 6.The system for a structure of claim 5 wherein said handheld electronicdevice further comprises a user input device disposed proximate thedisplay of said handheld electronic device, said user input device beingbetween the first side and the opposite second side of said handheldelectronic device.
 7. A method of configuring a display orientation,said method comprising: employing a server comprising a first wirelesscommunication port and a second port; employing a handheld electronicdevice comprising a display and a third wireless communication portadapted to communicate with the first wireless communication port ofsaid server; alternatively displaying a first display orientation and asecond display orientation of said display, said first displayorientation being inverted with respect to said second displayorientation; mating said handheld electronic device with the second portof said server in one of a first mating orientation and a differentsecond mating orientation; sending a wireless message including a firststate responsive to the first mating orientation and a different secondstate responsive to the second mating orientation from the firstwireless communication port of said server to the third wirelesscommunication port of said handheld electronic device; and configuringsaid display in the first display orientation responsive to said firststate and alternatively configuring said display in the second displayorientation responsive to said second state.
 8. The method of claim 7further comprising disposing the display of said handheld electronicdevice between a first side and an opposite second side of said handheldelectronic device; disposing a user input device proximate said displayand being between the first side and the opposite second side of saidhandheld electronic device; and employing said first display orientationfor a right-handed user and alternatively employing said second displayorientation for a left-handed user.
 9. The method of claim 7 furthercomprising employing a channel in said server including a first endhaving a first proximity sensor and a first target and a second endhaving a second proximity sensor and a second target; employing a firstside including a first proximity sensor and a first target and anopposite second side including a second proximity sensor and a secondtarget of said handheld electronic device; mating the first side of saidhandheld electronic device with the channel of said server in the firstmating orientation with the first proximity sensor of said handheldelectronic device being proximate the first target of said server andwith the first target of said handheld electronic device being proximatethe first proximity sensor of said server, and responsively sending thewireless message including the first state; and alternatively mating thesecond side of said handheld electronic device with the channel of saidserver in the second mating orientation with the second proximity sensorof said handheld electronic device being proximate the second target ofsaid server and with the second target of said handheld electronicdevice being proximate the second proximity sensor of said server, andresponsively sending the wireless message including the second state.10. The method of claim 9 further comprising determining the first andsecond mating orientations from the first and second proximity sensorsof said handheld electronic device; determining the first and secondmating orientations from the first and second proximity sensors of saidserver and responsively sending said wireless message including one ofthe first state corresponding to said first mating orientation and thesecond state corresponding to said second mating orientation; andcomparing the first state or the second state of said wireless messagewith the first mating orientation or the second mating orientation fromthe first and second proximity sensors of said handheld electronicdevice before configuring said first display orientation responsive tosaid first state and said first mating orientation from the firstproximity sensor of said handheld electronic device and beforealternatively configuring said second display orientation responsive tosaid second state and said second mating orientation from the secondproximity sensor of said handheld electronic device.
 11. The method ofclaim 7 further comprising re-powering and resetting said handheldelectronic device; storing the first state or the second state at saidserver; and sending another wireless message from said server to saidhandheld electronic device to reconfigure said display in the firstdisplay orientation responsive to said first state and alternativelyreconfiguring said display in the second display orientation responsiveto said second state.
 12. The method of claim 7 further comprisingincluding first and second proximity sensors with said handheldelectronic device; mating said handheld electronic device with a nodedifferent than said handheld electronic device; determining the firstand second mating orientations from the first and second proximitysensors of said handheld electronic device; and reconfiguring said firstdisplay orientation responsive to said determined first matingorientation from the first proximity sensor of said handheld electronicdevice or said second display orientation responsive to said determinedsecond mating orientation from the second proximity sensor of saidhandheld electronic device.
 13. The method of claim 12 furthercomprising employing an input sensor as said node; employing a nativeorientation of said input sensor; and reconfiguring said first displayorientation corresponding to said native orientation responsive to saiddetermined first mating orientation from the first proximity sensor ofsaid handheld electronic device or reconfiguring said second displayorientation, which does not correspond to said native orientation,responsive to said determined second mating orientation from the secondproximity sensor of said handheld electronic device.
 14. The method ofclaim 12 further comprising removing said handheld electronic devicefrom mating with said node different than said handheld electronicdevice; and responsively restoring said first display orientationresponsive to said first state and alternatively restoring said seconddisplay orientation responsive to said second state.
 15. The method ofclaim 7 further comprising removing said handheld electronic device frommating with the second port of said server; re-mating said handheldelectronic device with the second port of said server in one of thefirst mating orientation and the different second mating orientation;sending another wireless message including a first state responsive tothe first mating orientation and a different second state responsive tothe second mating orientation from the first wireless communication portof said server to the third wireless communication port of said handheldelectronic device; and re-configuring said display in the first displayorientation responsive to said first mating orientation andalternatively re-configuring said display in the second displayorientation responsive to said second mating orientation.
 16. The methodof claim 7 further comprising physically engaging said handheldelectronic device with the second port of said server in one of thefirst mating orientation and the different second mating orientation,the first mating orientation being a first physical engagementorientation and the different second mating orientation being a seconddifferent physical engagement orientation.
 17. A sub-system formonitoring, configuring or controlling a system for a structure, saidsub-system comprising: a node comprising a mating portion and a target;and a handheld electronic device comprising: a portable housingincluding a first side and an opposite second side, said first sidebeing adapted to mate with the mating portion of said node in a firstmating orientation, said second side being adapted to mate with themating portion of said node in a different second mating orientation, afirst proximity sensor disposed toward the first side of said portablehousing, a second proximity sensor disposed toward the second side ofsaid portable housing, a display disposed between the first and secondsides of said portable housing, and a processor cooperating with saidfirst and second proximity sensors and being adapted to configure saiddisplay in a first display orientation responsive to said firstproximity sensor detecting the target of said node and to alternativelyconfigure said display in a second display orientation responsive tosaid second proximity sensor detecting the target of said node, saidfirst display orientation being inverted with respect to said seconddisplay orientation.
 18. The sub-system of claim 17 wherein said firstproximity sensor is structured to detect the target responsive tophysical engagement of the first side of said portable housing with themating portion of said node in a first physical engagement orientation;and wherein said second proximity sensor is structured to detect thetarget responsive to physical engagement of the second side of saidportable housing with the mating portion of said node in a differentsecond physical engagement orientation.